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The main problem with crabgrass is that it produces thousands of seeds that can remain dormant until the following season. To get rid of it, you have to remove existing plants before they have a chance to spread seeds and stop old seeds from germinating.

Foxtail self-seeds and dispurses them among other grasses and pastures. The seeds can spread by wind and by attaching themselves to animals and humans. Seeds will germinate in their new location and become a new plant, which continues the spread of foxtail. Unfortunately, foxtail spreads easily, making it difficult to remove unless it’s caught quickly.

There are organic herbicide options that will kill grass but not flowers, including white vinegar or a dish soap solution. Commercial selective herbicides can also target grass over other plants, but read the instructions carefully to avoid damaging your garden. Herbicides that kill grass but not flowers usually include ingredients like clethodim and sethoxydim. Otherwise, your best bet will be to weed by hand.

You should add 1 to 4 inches of mulch, depending on your garden type and needs. Keep in mind that no amount of mulch can completely prevent weeds, but a heavier coverage (closer to 4 inches) can suppress weeds enough that you are only seeing them sprout every few weeks. Finer mulch prevents weeds more effectively than large mulch, so if you’re using mulched leaves or shredded bark, 1 to 2 inches will likely suffice, while 3 to 4 inches is best for larger mulch, like bark chips or straw.